Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney has responded to claims from former manager Arsene Wenger that the club could challenge for the Premier League title this season. It comes after an ideal start to the campaign for the Gunners, who currently sit top of the division after nine games played.
It marks their best start to a league season in years, with Mikel Arteta's side overcoming some tough tests along the way to leading everyone else. While current champions Manchester City are viewed as clear favourites to win the title again, the longer that Arsenal continue to set the pace, the more the odds shift in their favour.
Another factor in growing discussion surrounding a challenge at the top is the form of other sides, with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United getting off to a sluggish start. It's those factors that led ex-Gunners manager Wenger to claim the club can challenge for the league this season.
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"[Arsenal are] the second-best team to have a good chance to win the Premier League because Man City at some stage will focus highly on the Champions League," the Frenchman told beIN Sports earlier this month. He also claimed that the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea won't be involved, while not giving a prediction on Tottenham due to his allegiances to Arsenal.
It's a huge claim from Wenger, though it's one that current boss Arteta has refused to comment on, claiming he will leave it to the media to speculate on title chances. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, left-back Kieran Tierney was asked about the prediction made and whether he agreed with the assessment.
"He knows an awful lot about football," the Scotland international said in response to Wenger. "But it's early doors, only nine games in. That's the aim for everyone to finish up as high as possible and I'm sure every other team has got the same targets. We'll just see, we won't get carried away. I think that's very important as well."
It remains to be seen if they can continue to set the pace in the Premier League this season, however with a mid-season break approaching for the World Cup, it could be an unusual campaign that boosts Arsenal's chances.
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